Improvement in fences



W. H. SEAT. Pence.

No. 216,353. Patented June 10, 1879.

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N.PETERS, PNOTO-LITHDGRAPNER, WASHINGTON. D C,

UNITED STATEs PATENT OEEIoE.

WILLIAM H. SEAT, OF FINCASTLE, VIRGINIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN FENCES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 216,353, dated June 10,1879 application filed March 21, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM HENRY SEAT, of Fincastle, in the county ofBotetourt and State of Virginia, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in the Construction of Fences, of which the following is aspecification.

The invention relates to the construction of fences composed of rails,poles, or planks, nailed or otherwise fastened to posts fixed'in theground, or otherwise placed erect suitably for this purpose.

Heretofore rails, poles, or planks, when nailed to posts in theconstruction of fences, have been fastened either with both of theirends on the same side of the line of posts, or, more rarely, with theiropposite ends on the opposite sides of the line of posts.

The first method is objectionable, in that stock, in attempting to breakover or through the fence from one of its sides, would press whollyagainst the nails, and not against the posts.

The second method is objectionable, in that at one end of every panel oneach side of the fence the force of an invading animal would be againstthe nails, and not against the posts. This method would, however, havethe effect of bracing the fence, and thus of rendering it stronger andmore steady.

My invention, while using this second method-i. 0., of nailing therails, poles, or planks with their opposite ends (in the same panel, ofcourse) on the opposite sides of the line of posts-consists in thefastening of the top rail, or pole, or plank, and the next one to itbelow, in severed positions as to the line of posts, so as that the endsof the two poles, or rails, or planks extending in the same directionshall be fastened on the opposite sides of the post to which they may beattached, the two rails, or poles, or planks thus crossing each otherdiagonally between the posts, as shown in the accompanying drawing,which is a part of this specification.

This arrangement of the two upper courses is designed not only to bracethe fence, (constituting, as it does, a double or locked brace,) but,further, and mainly, to render effectual the resistance offered by thefence to the encroachments of stock, especially of the larger kinds. Forexample, a horse pushing against the fence at the end of the panel,where the top rail, or pole, or plank is between him and the post, hewould press against the post, and not against nail or nails fastening itto the post, while at the opposite end of the same panel, though the toprail,or pole, or plank would be on the opposite side of the post, yetthe next rail, or pole, or plank below, being its own thickness and thatof the post nearer to him, would receive the pressure, and, beingfastened between him and the post, would convey the pressure to thepost; and this would be the case onboth sides of the fence and along itswhole extent.

As showing the practical relation of the two reversed courses as abovedescribed, embraced in my invention to the fence as a Whole, it may bestated that these two courses might constitute, as fastened to the lineof posts, the entire fence-if, for instance, designed only for horses.One course might be added for cattle, one more below for sheep, whilefor a full fence for all stock six rails to the panel, or at least five,would be requisite. be found, especially when rails or used, veryeconomical.

What I claim ispoles are In a fence, and in combination with fixed IWILLIAM HENRY SEAT.

Attest R. R. PRICE, F. W. DILLON.

The fence would thus

